BB: OAC: Ohio Athletic Conference

[Dr. Acula]

Etta and JCU still tied 7-7 heading to the 11th.  Etta had the leadoff man on in the 10th but the Streaks left him at 2nd.

I'm interested to hear from anyone at the game because the radio guys thought the JCU runner didn't tag up on the diving catch that tied the game in the 9th. 

[motorman]

Etta and JCU still tied 7-7 heading to the 11th.  Etta had the leadoff man on in the 10th but the Streaks left him at 2nd.

I'm interested to hear from anyone at the game because the radio guys thought the JCU runner didn't tag up on the diving catch that tied the game in the 9th.

I was watching the video and I think he tagged, the question was for me was if he left early which you can't tell from the webcam. The radio guys were watching the catch and have no idea whether he tagged or not.

[motorman]

JCU scored 3 in top of 13th due to some pretty sloppy baseball by Marietta, then gives up 4 in bottom of the 13th to lose on a throwing error at 3B to allow the winning run to score.

[Dr. Acula]

Otterbein eliminates Etta. I believe 10-8 was the final. Championship game in 30 minutes.  Let's go Raiders!

[EttaFan1]

Otterbein came out aggressively again today.

One of the things which was a strength all season for Marietta turned out to be an Achilles heel of sorts. Starting pitching. Neither mulvey or Finlan had good days today.  Unfortunately it was the undoing of this club this afternoon.

I'm fairly confident Marietta will be in a regional. Whether it is terre haute or somewhere else remains to be seen.

[Dr. Acula]

Interesting stuff.  Powell starts Collier who started 2 days ago (69 pitches) and Hesse starts Ceriani (who threw 3 innings of relief yesterday morning).  According to Mount SID Lenny Reich who is calling the game on the radio Hesse went with Ceriani because he has great command and he wanted someone throwing strikes out of the gate.

Mount uses a single, a 2 base error on a pick off attempt and a ground out to take a 1-0 lead after 1.

[forheavendial4999]

I don't know why OTT didn't just start Cydrus. He was on a roll.

[Dr. Acula]

I'm not sure how long Cydrus could have gone.  He threw 70+ pitches 2 days ago.  How many innings did he throw today?  The box score isn't up yet.  I'd think he could have given them at least a couple more innings though.

Still 1-0 after 3 innings.

[forheavendial4999]

I'm not sure how long Cydrus could have gone.  He threw 70+ pitches 2 days ago.  How many innings did he throw today?  The box score isn't up yet.  I'd think he could have given them at least a couple more innings though.

Still 1-0 after 3 innings.

Less than 2 I think. He'll pitch tomorrow, guaranteed if there is a tomorrow (which is the point, there is no tomorrow if they don't win today). Not sure what the difference would have been whether you get 6 from him tomorrow or today.

Collier's going to go 5-6 today I bet, so obviously that's not the issue. My guess is they run out of gas at some point anyway. The rain really played to their advantage and they always get excited to play Marietta but are unable to sustain it against other teams. Been that way as long as Powell's been there.

[Dr. Acula]

I'm not sure how long Cydrus could have gone.  He threw 70+ pitches 2 days ago.  How many innings did he throw today?  The box score isn't up yet.  I'd think he could have given them at least a couple more innings though.

Still 1-0 after 3 innings.

Less than 2 I think. He'll pitch tomorrow, guaranteed if there is a tomorrow (which is the point, there is no tomorrow if they don't win today). Not sure what the difference would have been whether you get 6 from him tomorrow or today.

Collier's going to go 5-6 today I bet, so obviously that's not the issue. My guess is they run out of gas at some point anyway. The rain really played to their advantage and they always get excited to play Marietta but are unable to sustain it against other teams. Been that way as long as Powell's been there.

I wonder if they'll use Porretta this game for 3-4 innings.  He used to be a starter so I'm sure he can stretch it out and give them some innings.

You're right though, Ott is obviously at a severe disadvantage pitching wise.  Mount has 2 guys (Murzynski, Bekelesky) who were OAC rotation guys who haven't even pitched yet.  Their closer Brandon Bell I don't believe has pitched yet either so they have a lot of fresh arms that have thrown OAC innings. 

Funny you say that about getting up to play Etta and not being able to sustain it.  I watch them more than any team every year and I always marvel at how they can be so locked in and look great one day and look bad and borderline disinterested another day.   

[Dr. Acula]

Ricky Olasz comes through with a 2-run single.  3-0 Mount after 4.

[Dr. Acula]

Mount pitches to Meadows with first base open.  Meadows singles and drives in 2.  3-2 in the 5th.

[Dr. Acula]

Meadows steals 2nd and scores on a single.  3-3 now.  Mount needs to get something going to get momentum back.

[Dr. Acula]

Powell finally pulls Collier after 7.2 innings and what had to be 130ish pitches (I think Lenny said 120 a couple batters ago). 

5-3 Mount After Olasz hits a clutch 2-out triple to center to score the go ahead run and then scores on a single to add the insurance run.

[Dr. Acula]

Congrats to Coach Hesse and the program.  They used the most proven path....good pitching, good defense and timely hitting.  I knew that Carlino would give them a good chance to win, and as I said, Clarke was throwing well too, but they allowed 9 runs total in 3 games against pretty good teams.  Not even a biased fan like me expected that type of effort.  Ceriani and Sasson were great out of the pen. 

Ricky Olasz was named tournament MVP after he went 7-11 with 2 doubles, a triple and 6 RBI.  4 of those RBI came in the 7th inning or later including the huge two out triple in the bottom of the 8th that drove in the go ahead run in the championship game.  Olasz has been moved around the lineup a lot.  I know he was hitting lead off for a while.  I believe he has been slotted in the 2 and 3 spot a few times.  But the 9 hole, where he hit this weekend, seems to be his most effective spot. 

I said before the tournament started that no one would be happier to be 100% wrong and I never have been more pleased.  I thought this team was good when Carlino pitched and average when he didn't.  But they proved that they can get good pitching from other arms.  And more importantly they proved they have the mettle to win close games under pressure.

I've questioned some things Hesse has done over the years, but there is not a better guy coaching college baseball.  He is just a genuinely nice person.  He isn't married.  Those kids ARE his family.  I couldn't be happier for him because I know he's so proud of his "sons".  He definitely deserves it.  Congrats Coach!